Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-2000Special Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes Auburn City Hall Council Chambers Wednesday, October 11, 2000 In Attendance City of Auburn Staff/Consultants: ' rK8 0FFl £ Mayor Chuck Booth, Public Works Committee ChaidCouncilmember Rich Wagner, Public Works Committee/Oouncilmember Fred Poe, Public Works Committee/Councilmember Pete Lewis, Public Works Director Christine Engler, City Engineer Dennis Dowdy, Public Works Secretary Lorna Dahlke, Water Utility Engineer Tim Osborne, Water Rights Attorney Tom Mortimer. Water District No. 111: Larry Bradbury, Charley Wilson, Greg Hill, Dutch Randall, Attorney Mike Ruark. Covington Water District: No representative in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Councilman Rich Wagner at 5:10 p.m. He stated the meeting was called to update IA2 (Interlocal Agreement #2) Partners regarding the status of the City of Auburn's water rights positions, application for additional water rights, and Puget Sound Energy's Lake Tapps project. Update - Current state of regulatory environment Tom Mortimer reviewed the City of Auburn's application status for additional water rights. He stated that when the city began the study of the aquifer, it was believed that the aquifer was self contained and not in continuity.with the Green and White Rivers, and confined and sealed with layers above and around it. One of the findings of the five year study, is that the aquifer is hydraulically connected to the Green and White Rivers and there is exchange of water. The White River discharges into the QRVD aquifer which then discharges water to the Green River system. The Department of Ecology has stated that new water rights applications will be reviewed based on no impairment to water flows and species. Tom Mortimer stated that the Department of Ecology uses the one molecule rule. Update - Puget Sound Energy Lake Tapps' Project Puget Sound Energy is concerned that imposition of NMFS-FERC flows will affect the ability of the White River hydro project to provide cost effective power. There are indications that NMFS may seek to impose new minimum flows ranging from 350 to 500 cfs. New rights according to Ecology would need to demonstrate no effect to such flows. Tom Mortimer stated that he is advising the City of Auburn on strategies that can mitigate the proposed withdrawals on the surface water system. IA2 Partners Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 11, 2000 Pg. 2 Puget Sound Energy's proposal that local agencies purchase mitigation flows from the Lake Tapps' project was discussed. Tom Mortimer stated that in his August 2000 letter to PSE, he requested that PSE provide amounts of water and cost forecasts. PSE responded they are willing to discuss the issue, but have not been available for follow up. Also discussed was the issue of any seasonal relief to the one molecule rule; under what flow conditions, what seasonal conditions could the city withdraw water. Tom Mortimer stated to the extent that it can be demonstrated that groundwater withdrawal would not effect minimum flows in the White and Green Rivers. Tom addressed another issue that Ecology may consider which is if a basin or sub-basin is closed, that withdrawals are automatically precluded. Since the White River has been closed this becomes a potential issue for Auburn's water rights application. Tom Mortimer stated that in a closed basin, withdrawals should be allowed provided there is no effect to surface water flows that are regulated. Tom Mortimer stated the Puget Sound Energy Lake Tapps project could cost approximately $50 to $100 million. He said PSE indicated the equity partners would be asked to commit funding for the project pending construction, which could require up to $3 to $5 million per year in order to offset loss of profit to PSE. Tom stated that no water system has committed to this proposition yet. It was discussed that Pacific Groundwater Group could determine generally how much water can be withdrawn beyond the existing withdrawals before there would be a need to cut back and reduce quantities. This would be a separate task, which needs additional modeling and analysis, should the City desire this work accomplished. Another option would be coordinated storage projects, using conjoining winter supply. Christine Engler stated at this point, the city has not tasked PGG to conduct modeling regarding the effects of the city's water rights on the two rivers and Mill Creek during different times of year. Tom Mortimer stated that the groundwater characterization that has been done for the city, is sophisticated and precise. The fact that the Department of Ecology and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe have been consulted and provided with documents during the process was discussed. The effects of the Lake Tapps project on the city's aquifer was discussed. Tom Mortimer stated that if Lake Tapps was returned to an original state, it would consist of five or six lakes and would provide a large recharge area. Tom Mortimer stated that the city is proceeding with scheduling a meeting with Puget Sound Energy. Tom stated he wrote a letter to the Department of Ecology stating there has been a long standing relationship between the Department and the City, and the City's application for additional water rights should not be damaged. He stated he will resubmit a letter saying the same thing. The Department of Ecology has indicated two to three times it wants to meet with the City, but the meetings have not occurred. IA2 Partners Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 11,2000 Pg 3 Christine Engler stated the city budget recommends funding further modeling in 2001 with the completion of the technical study expected by the end of 2001. It was discussed that the findings could reflect there would be no significant impacts to the Rivers due to the city's additional water rights, and that any impacts could be mitigated reasonably. Tom Mortimer stated another option would be to produce a scientific expanded checklist under SEPA. It was discussed that the scientific study is the foundation to preparing a resource management plan for SEPA and an expanded checklist. It would also provide an existing baseline of existing withdrawals and proposed additional withdrawals. Depending on circumstances, the city may prepare an MDNS or an ElS to support the city's water rights application. Tom also discussed the need for the water utilities to be prepared to demonstrate an investment in conservation efforts as part of the application process. IA2 agreement partners were encouraged to contact Tom Mortimer for updates on the application process, plan development, and modeling, or to request a meeting to be scheduled. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. /LD